4 Big Things Illinois Residents Do That Wreak Havoc on a Good Night’s Sleep

If insomnia troubles have got you down and you wake up every morning feeling far from well-rested, here are 4 things you should try doing immediately.

Troubles Sleeping

Winter in Illinois is a weird time for many people, and I'm not just talking about people who hate the cold. I'm talking about the people (like me) who spend their winter days trying to keep their eyes open while longing for a warm, cozy nap and then finally laying down in bed at night and not being able to sleep.  It's a real struggle that LOTS of folks are still trying to find some non-chemical answers to. Personally, I have tried falling asleep to white noise apps, getting black-out curtains for my room, going to bed earlier...nothing seems to work, I'm still dog tired in the morning. What else can I try?

I went on a search for answers and found these easy tips from healthline.com.

4 Easy Tips For Getting Better Sleep

1. Set a Caffeine Drinking Limit: I'm assuming we all know caffeine is a stimulant, but did you know consuming too much of it, even if it's early in the day, can still ruin a good night's sleep?  Experts recommended cutting your caffeine intake off at 2 p.m. and limiting your total caffeine intake to no more than 400 milligrams per day.

2. Stop Using Electronic Devices Before Bed:  We've all heard that using electronic devices in bed is not a good thing because the blue light they emit can actually suppress the production of melatonin which regulates our sleep. But what about people who use a tablet or phone to read a book in bed each night? Experts say to dim the brightness on your device or use blue light-blocking filters if you must use them before bed.

3. Stop Eating Large Meals Before Bed: If you eat a large meal right before bed your body will be busy digesting food instead of relaxing and preparing for sleep, which is not a good thing. If you simply have to eat before you hit the hay, opt for a light snack instead.

4. Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: I get it, we all live busy, crazy lives that sometimes make it hard to go to sleep at the same time every night, but we must try our hardest to set a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Staying up late and sleeping in on weekends disrupts your body's natural sleep-wake cycle which makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep during the week.

Need more tips for better sleep? Check this out...